Monochromatic Color Scheme

A monochromatic color scheme uses a single color and mixes in several shades (adding black) and tints (adding white). This color combination usually creates a tranquil effect because it doesn’t offer much visual diversity.

Analogous Colors Scheme

Analogous colors are neighbors on the color wheel. Combining them provides a bit of contrast. An analogous color scheme can be cool and soothing or warm and intense, depending on which area of the color wheel you use.

The green, blue, and violet create a calm scheme in Fast Flowers Appliqué.

Triadic Color Scheme

A triadic color scheme -- one using three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel -- will have contrast, but because of their relationship on the color wheel, the colors will always be balanced.

Abrupt changes from light to dark prints make the Lone Star radiate, while a trio of borders visually contains it.

Consider the Recipient

If the quilt will be a gift, keep in mind the recipient’s favorite colors.

The bright colors and novelty fabric are perfect for a child’s quilt. To enhance the illusion that the novelty prints are actually being magnified in I Spy, carefully match background colors to appliqué foundations.

Display Color Choices on a Design Wall

Having a vertical surface on which to lay out fabric choices can help you visualize how they might look in a quilt. For a permanent design wall, cover a foam-core board with flannel, which will hold small pieces in place. You also could use the flannel back of a vinyl tablecloth, rolling it up between projects.

To view design and color combination, place a block on a design wall and step back several feet. To further test the color and layout, make color photocopies of the mock block. Use the copies to plan the quilt top. Keep an eye out for patterns that emerge based on how you turn the blocks. Check color placement in adjacent blocks and make sure you like what’s happening.